An earthquake occurs when two blocks of earth slip or bump against each other along a fault plane below the surface. The location below ground where it starts is the hypocenter, and above ground is the epicenter. Scientists use seismographs to record earthquakes and measure their size on the Richter scale, but currently have no reliable way to predict when or where they will occur.

1. THE EARTHQUAKE
An earthquake is when two The location below the
blocks of the earth slip earth's surface where the
past or bump one another. earthquake starts is called
the hypocenter.
The surface where they
slip is called the fault or The location directly above
fault plane. it on the surface of the
earth is called epicenter.

3. Earthquakes are recorded by Sientists have many diferent
instruments called way predicting
seismographs. earthquakes, but none
have been succesful.
Sientists mesure the size
of earthquakes reading the
Ritcher scale.